Bird Sanctuary Memories

Park View/Northgate Partnership

Bird Sanctuary Memories

      I was twelve years old and had just gotten my first BB gun. I was so proud that I could sit on

my back yard steps and kill all those Redskins hiding in my backyard and thereafter struck out on

a frontier exploration to Ricky Maisto's ranch. The top of Mount Elgin (Street) called me through

the forests of the Bird Sanctuary and toward the Spanish Mission on Acadia Way.

      I passed by the giant sequoia tree in front of the mission and spied a buzzard sitting in the lofty

branches. I thojught to myself that I would shoot that buzzard with my trusty Winchester rifle

and rid the dyuing mammals nearby of this wretched predator. I swung my sharpshooter rifle to

my shoulder, knowing that the bird undoubtedly would fly off upon seeing me before I could get a

shot off. I leveled my gunsite and aimed directly at the heart. I relaxed a moment but he did not

make any attempt to fly off. I pressed the trigger noiselessly and effortlessly until I heard the roar of my

Winchester and my shoulder absorbed the accompanying kick.

      Suddenly, I came back to my senses and saw the little wren drop to the ground before my eyes. I cried

out and rushed to where he lay. I picked him up and laid him down a dozen times before I accepted the fact

I had killed the innocent bird. I rushed home with my BB gun in my hand and tears in my eyes. Once again, I

learned a big lesson that day. One must always exercise caution when he makes believe. It is so easy to trap

oneself in our imaginary life where our actions do not hurt anyone, but in truth all of our actions have

repercussions. These harmless lies or jokes do affect us and even others' opinions of us and those we love.

      Since that day, 53 years ago, I have been unable to shoot a gun or bow and arrow at prey. I adore the

animals God sends into my vision, but I can't even squash a moth trapped in the house. I hae to catch them

and release them outside. God protects me as I go through my day to day life and I think He expects us to

protect all His creation the same way.